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disbelief — the inability or refusal to believe or accept something

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the inability or refusal to believe or accept something

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌdɪsbɪˈliːf/

Example Sentences

  • When I saw my CSAT score, I stared at the paper in disbelief for five minutes straight.
  • The teacher shook his head in disbelief when the whole class failed the easy quiz.
  • Scientists expressed disbelief at the unexpected results of the experiment.

disbelief

NOUN

[/ˌdɪsbɪˈliːf/]

the inability or refusal to believe or accept something

The audience stared in disbelief as the magician's assistant vanished into thin air.
💡 Concept

The audience stared in disbelief as the magician's assistant vanished into thin air.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˌdɪsbɪˈliːf/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌdɪsbɪˈliːf/

🌳Etymology

Prefixdis--
Rootbelief

Origin

Disbelief emerged in Middle English from the verb believen (to believe), which derives from Germanic roots. The noun belief developed from this verb, and the negating prefix dis- was attached to create a compound meaning the absence or rejection of belief.

Breakdown

dis- (negation, opposite) + belief (faith, conviction) = the state of lacking belief or refusing to accept something as true.

🎵Rhyme

belief
relief
grief

🔗Collocations

look at someone in disbelief
shake one's head in disbelief
express disbelief
stare in disbelief
a sense of disbelief
in utter disbelief
gasp in disbelief

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“When I saw my CSAT score, I stared at the paper in disbelief for five minutes straight.”

😄 Fun example

“The teacher shook his head in disbelief when the whole class failed the easy quiz.”

“Scientists expressed disbelief at the unexpected results of the experiment.”

“She gasped in disbelief when she found out she had won the lottery.”

📚Related Words

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